The Last Weekend of Summer

It is still super hot here in Denver, 93 degrees today. In anticipation of fall's arrival this week, we were determined to find a cider mill. At long last an orchard with cider and donuts materialized. Not quite the Michigan cider mill experience, but fun none the less! We had one last summer day of playing in the Rocky Mountains- wading in a stream, hiking up the trails, and picnicking for dinner.

Autumn Approaching

The days are getting noticeably shorter and the colors are starting to change. I do love the fall, and can't wait for an end to the 90 degree temps here. Bring on the cooler weather!

Back in the Saddle Again

At the request of friends and relatives far flung and also those close to home, I am back to updating the blog. I shall endeavor to be more regular in my postings. My deepest apologies for the long delay in updates. Does the excuse "it's been a really crazy year" seem appropriate?!

Here is the latest news updated to the Labor Day 2010. I am hoping to get around to posting a recap of the last few months of 2009 and the first 8 months of 2010 sometime soon.

Thanks for your patience!

Caribou

We took the kids up to the only ghost town in the Front Range area that we can access sans a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Caribou Colorado is a former mining town just above Nederland in Boulder County at approximately 10,000ft. The town burnt to the ground in 1879 and most of the residents left around 1910 after the silver mine ran dry. At it's heyday, Caribou had approximately 200 buildings and a network of busy streets with 3000 residents. Today, there are only a few stone foundations, one dilapidated wooden structure, and the walls of a couple of stone buildings.

The kids had a blast running around the ruins and searching for the remnants of a bygone era in the grass of the meadow. Lots of old square nails to be found, but no long lost treasures sadly. And no ghostly spirits either. Oh well, maybe in the next ghost town.

Exploring a Ghost Town

Eleanor singing while picking her way through the ruins.

In the doorway of the last remaining building in Caribou.

A very pensive Will.

Nick posing for photo. Rare occurrence these days.

Little missy, singing again.

Yet another posed photo, and with an almost smile. Must be my lucky day!

All three checking out a building via the window.

No, we haven't had a fourth. That is a random child joining in on the right.

Historic Caribou

Ok folks, I did some research and found the before and after shots for comparison. Here is your Colorado history lesson for the day....

The meadow in Caribou today. The old wood cabin is in the center of the photo.

The same "meadow" area in 1869 the heyday of the silver boom and before fire destroyed the city. The circled building in the photo is the wooden cabin above shown with it still standing in 1969.

The same meadow/city area in 1917. The 1879 fire had destroyed a huge portion of the city and it was never rebuilt. The silver era was over and the best ore had already been mined. I read that at this point about 50 people were still living in Caribou.

And this is the wooden structure seen in the current photo at the top circa 1969. It is referred to as "Jim Butler's" cabin. Obviously abandoned, but still standing 41 years ago.

Reminds me of that show on the History channel, Life After People. It's eerie to think how quickly evidence of human civilization can be erased from the landscape.

First Day of School for 2010-2011!!

The kids are off to a new school year and heading to a brand new school!

Actually, two brand new schools!!
Nick and Ella (Eleanor has renamed herself since my last posting) are starting at Westgate Community School this year. Nick is entering the third grade and Ella the first. We had not been very happy with how things were going at the neighborhood school over the last couple of years. After much consideration on our part, two very lengthy applications, and a lot of prayer; both were accepted in June into Westgate. I could not be more thrilled and am anticipating a very different school year to last.

Will is starting his first year as a preschooler at Eastlake Montessori. He is very excited and requests that I pack him a lunch every day. Even though he only goes to school for 2.5 hours and still eats lunch at home.

Memory Lane....

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Friday, September 11, 2009

You've come a long way baby!

Happy 5th Birthday Eleanor!

Our little princess turned five today.

I keep saying that five seems really old to me, maybe she should only be three?! Our big girl is in Kindergarten all day now, and loving every minute of it. She has reinvented herself at school as Ella. I'm OK with that name.... when I can remember to refer to her as Ella! Luckily I was granted permission to call her Eleanor at home. She is riding a big kid bike, learning to read and write, has loads of girlfriends at school, and thinks a couple of the boys in her class are cute. I am definitely not ready for that!

As usual, she had some unique gift requests this year; she wanted "something Tinkerbell", a Barbie "head", something fancy, and a goldfish. This last request she directed at her Uncle Paul and Aunt Kaili, who live in LA. And resulted in a long, long conversation about why you cannot send aquatic animals via the US Postal system. She is still a little bitter about that.

The "Something Fancy" Gift

"I am FIVE!"

She was too fast for me this year. All five candles were out before the camera was ready.
Wonder what she wished for?

By request, one mermaid cake. Phew! This one took me an entire day to make. My fingers are still stained red and teal, they may never be quite right again. Sadly Ariel looks like she has had some poorly done cosmetic work: botched nose job, collagen injected into her lips, an over waxed and now half missing left eyebrow, and the same dermatologist/skin bleaching as Michael Jackson. Not exactly like the picture on the Wilton cake pan!

But Ellie loved it anyway and that's what matters.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!
We love you
xoxo

Mommy, Daddy, Nick, and William